Anderson Silva seeing psychologist, 'ghosts' of broken leg keep him from executing in training

Anderson Silva will make his much-anticipated return to the Octagon when he faces Nick Diaz in the main event of UFC 183 on Jan. 31, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

After recovering from a broken leg suffered at UFC 168 in Dec. 2013, Silva wants to prove to himself, his family and the mixed martial arts (MMA) community that his days from fighting at the highest level are far from done.

But, that doesn't mean it's been an easy process.

Along with getting his body right, Silva also had to work on the mental aspect of returning to a sport that caused him one of the most horrific injuries in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) history.

So-much-so that the former Middleweight champion has been seeing a psychologist to help him get rid of the ghosts that can't seem to leave him alone after that awful night. It's something that needs to be done if he's too perform at a high level inside the cage against Diaz.

Because they sure haven't been letting him execute in the training room.

Silva explains to FOX Sports:

"I've worked with a psychologist so I can get rid of the ghosts of those horrible moments of that fight, when I had that accident. I'm a little apprehensive in training. I know I can execute the movement, but I end up not doing it for fear. I feel no pain at all. My strength is back because I'm back to training. The hardest part is self-confidence, to kick again as I used to."

As far as a trilogy fight against Weidman, Silva isn't too interested at the moment. And perhaps neither would UFC, seeing as how "All American" has already defeated the Brazilian bomber twice. But, Silva's disinterest in a third match against Weidman isn't out of fear, but rather, his lack of desire to be champion again.

Because at the end of the day, his time as king of MMA is likely over and the thought of retirement is slowly, but surely, creeping into his mind.

His words:

"I'm over this thing of being champion, having the title. The truth is, there will only be one Ayrton Senna, there will only be one Pele, and there will only be one Anderson Silva, so whoever saw me (as champion), saw me. Who haven't seen me (as champion), won't see it. In a way you'll see me (fight again), but not for the belt, that thing of being champion again. I don't have patience for this. I think I'm closer to retirement every day."

Silva isn't the first professional fighter to admit he's sought the help of a psychologist to help him overcome the hurdles that come with a tough setback.

In 2007, former UFC Welterweight champion, Georges St-Pierre, admitted to seeing a psychologist to help him get past his loss to Matt Serra at UFC 69. "Rush" never lost again after that, going on to reclaim his 170-pound title in the midst of a 12-fight win streak before calling it a day last year to take on another mental battle.

Still, going into his "super fight" against Diaz, Silva isn't anticipating anything going wrong inside the Octagon, but admits the fear is always present. And like most things in life, the first step is recognizing their is a problem that needs to be nipped in the bud.

Especially before stepping into a cage against a dangerous fighter like Diaz.